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Microsoft Windows 7 Your Way: Speed Up and Customize Windows

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Microsoft Windows 7 Your Way: Speed Up and Customize Windows

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Description

  • Copyright 2010
  • Dimensions: 6" x 9"
  • Pages: 528
  • Edition: 1st
  • Book
  • ISBN-10: 0-7897-4286-1
  • ISBN-13: 978-0-7897-4286-5

Want to make Windows 7 run faster, smarter, easier, better? Want to personalize Windows to look and act the way you want it to? Want to get
more efficient and ditch all those Windows hassles? You don’t need
a Ph.D in computer science or expensive upgrades. All you need is this book!

Michael Miller makes it easy to tweak Windows so it works just like you
want it to–and runs smooth as silk for years to come. No extreme hacking required: These are simple, step-by-step techniques anyone can perform in minutes–even beginners!

     •    Customize Windows 7’s desktop for the way you work

     •    Strip out bloated, worthless software that slows your PC down

     •    Get your network running faster and more reliably

     •    Surf the Web more quickly and safely

     •    Improve performance and battery life on notebooks and netbooks

     •    Get more security with fewer annoyances

     •    Discover great free and cheap alternatives to Microsoft’s built-in software

     •    Fix Windows 7’s most aggravating problems

     •    And much more...

Michael Miller has written more than 100 non-fiction how-to books over the past 20 years, including Que’s Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Computer Basics, Speed It Up! A Non-Technical Guide for Speeding Up Slow Computers, and How Microsoft Windows Vista Works. His books have sold more than 1 million copies worldwide. He has earned a reputation for clearly explaining technical topics to non-technical readers and for offering useful real-world advice about complex topics.

Sample Content

Online Sample Chapter

Customizing Windows Explorer in Windows 7

Sample Pages

Download the sample pages (includes Chapter 6 and Index)

Table of Contents

I

    Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

I PERSONALIZING WINDOWS–YOUR WAY

1 Configuring Basic Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

    Using the Control Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

        How the Control Panel Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

        Configuring the Control Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

        Understanding the Configuration Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

        Configuring the Control Panel Start Menu Display . . . . . .12

    Other Ways to Configure Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

        Right-Click Menus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

        Windows Registry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

    Changing Your PC’s Time and Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

        Displaying the Date and Time Dialog Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

        Changing Date and Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

        Changing Time Zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

        Displaying Additional Clocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

        Synchronizing Time Over the Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

    Changing Your Computer’s Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

    The Bottom Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

2 Setting Default Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

    Changing Default Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

        Behind the Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

        What You Can Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

        Changing the Defaults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

    Changing File Type Defaults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

        Assigning File Types to an Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

        Assigning an Application to a File Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

    Downloading New Applications from Windows

        Live Essentials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

        What’s Not There Anymore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

        Downloading Windows Live Essentials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

    Configuring AutoPlay Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

    The Bottom Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

3 Customizing the Desktop. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

    Changing Desktop Themes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39

        Choosing an Existing Theme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

        Finding New Themes Online . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41

        Finding Windows 7’s Hidden Themes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42

        Creating a New Theme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43

    Changing the Desktop Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43

        Choosing a Static Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43

        Creating a Background Slideshow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47

    Changing the Color Scheme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48

    Changing Display Resolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49

    Changing Font and Window Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50

    Changing Cursor Schemes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51

    Organizing the Desktop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53

        Creating New Shortcuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53

        Changing the Name of a Shortcut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

        Changing the Icon Image . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

        Arranging Icons on the Desktop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55

    Using Gadgets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56

        Adding New Gadgets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57

        Finding More Gadgets Online . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57

        Configuring Gadgets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58

        Using Non-Microsoft Gadgets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59

    Applying a Screen Saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60

    Calibrating Your Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61

    Changing System Sounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64

        Choosing a Sound Scheme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64

        Using Your Own Sounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64

    The Bottom Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65

4 Customizing the Taskbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

    What’s New About the Windows 7 Taskbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67

    Using the Windows 7 Taskbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68

        Understanding Taskbar Icons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68

        Viewing Taskbar Thumbnails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69

        Using Jump Lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69

    Personalizing the Taskbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70

        Moving the Taskbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71

        Hiding the Taskbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72

        Changing the Way Icons Are Displayed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72

        Adding Icons to the Taskbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73

        Rearranging Taskbar Icons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74

        Changing the Number of Items in Jump Lists . . . . . . . . . . . . .74

        Resizing the Taskbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74

    Revisiting the Notification Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75

        Viewing Hidden Icons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76

        Displaying Different Icons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76

    Peeking at the Desktop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77

    The Bottom Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78

5 Customizing the Start Menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

    Understanding the Start Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79

    Customizing the Right Pane of the Start Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80

    Further Customizing the Start Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83

    Pinning and Unpinning Items To and From the Start Menu’s Left Pane . . . . . .84

    Displaying Fewer Programs on the Start Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85

    Clear Recently Opened Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85

    Changing What the Power Button Does . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86

    Advanced Customizing with the Group Policy Editor . . . . . . .87

    The Bottom Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91

II MANAGING WINDOWS DATA AND MEDIA–YOUR WAY

6 Customizing Windows Explorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

    Understanding Windows Explorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93

    Displaying–or Hiding–Different Panes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97

    Displaying the Menu Bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98

    Changing Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98

    Arranging and Sorting Files and Folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103

        Arranging Folder Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103

        Sorting Folder Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105

    Displaying More Details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106

    Customizing the Navigation Pane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107

        Displaying More Folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107

        Adding Items to the Favorites Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .108

    Adding Items to the New Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .108

    The Bottom Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110

7 Extending File and Folder Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

    Viewing File Extensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .111

    Viewing Hidden and System Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112

    Changing Other Advanced Folder Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113

    Configuring File Search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115

    Creating Libraries of Virtual Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117

        Understanding Libraries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117

        Creating a New Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118

    Single-Clicking Versus Double-Clicking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .120

    Stop Delete Confirmations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121

    The Bottom Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .122

8 Managing Media Storage and Playback. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123

    Working with Media Libraries and Folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123

        Adding More Folders to a Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .124

        Changing the Default Folder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125

    Managing the Pictures Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125

        Previewing Pictures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126

        Managing Photo Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126

        Understanding Other Picture Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .129

        Organizing and Editing Your Pictures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .130

    Managing the Videos Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131

        Playing Videos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .132

        Managing Video Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .132

    Managing the Music Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133

        Changing Album Artwork . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133

        Managing Music Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .135

    Choosing Music File Formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137

        How Digital Sampling Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137

        Lossy Compressed Formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137

        Lossless Compressed Formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .139

        Non-Compressed Formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .140

        Choosing the Right Bit Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141

        Which File Format Should You Use? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141

        Dealing with DRM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143

    Customizing Windows Media Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .144

        Customizing the Full Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .144

        Switching to Now Playing Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .144

        Changing Skins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145

        Viewing Visualizations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147

        Searching for Media Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148

        Adding or Changing Album Art . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150

        Setting the Audio File Format and Bit Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151

        Change the Location for Ripped Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .152

        Playing DVDs and Videos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .152

        Enhancing Audio and Video Playback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .153

        Adding More Functionality with Plug-Ins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .154

    Switching to Another Media Player Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .155

    The Bottom Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .155

9 Extending Windows Media. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157

    Using Windows Media Center in the Living Room . . . . . . . . . .157

        Configuring a Living Room System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .157

        Getting to Know the 10-Foot Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .158

        Operating Media Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .159

        Navigating the Menus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .161

        Connecting Your Computer in the Living Room . . . . . . . .164

        Starting Media Center Automatically When You Turn

        On Your PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .166

        Configuring Other Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .168

        Configuring the Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169

        Configuring Audio Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .171

        Changing Media Center’s Color Scheme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .172

        Configuring Slideshow Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .172

        Customizing the Music Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .174

        Starting Media Center Your Way . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .177

        Finding and Using Other Media Center Applications . .178

    Configuring a Whole House Audio/Video System . . . . . . . . . .179

        Understanding Media Center Extenders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .179

        Different Types of Extenders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .180

        Connecting Your System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .181

        Using a Media Center Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .182

    Accessing Your Media from Other Computers–At Home or Away . . .183

        Sharing Media on Your Local Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .183

        Sharing Media Over the Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .186

        Playing to Other Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .188

    The Bottom Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .189

III MANAGING WINDOWS USERS AND THE NETWORK–YOUR WAY

10 Managing User Accounts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191

    Adding New Users to Your PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .191

        Different Types of Accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .192

        Creating a New Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .192

    Adding a Password to an Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .194

    Changing Account Details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .195

        Changing Your Account Picture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .195

        Changing Your Account Picture–To Your Own

        Picture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .197

        Changing Your Account Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .197

        Changing Your Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .198

    Changing and Deleting Accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .199

        Changing an Account Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .199

        Deleting an Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .200

        Disabling–Not Deleting–An Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .200

    Managing Parental Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .202

    The Bottom Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .204

11 Configuring User Account Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205

    Understanding User Account Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .205

        How UAC Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .205

        Unintended Consequences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .206

        UAC in Windows 7: New and Improved . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .207

    Changing User Account Control Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .208

    The Bottom Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .209

12 Managing Network Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211

    Configuring Windows for Network Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .211

    Configuring a Network Workgroup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .212

    Adding Your Computer to a HomeGroup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .215

    Managing Your Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216

        Viewing a Larger Network Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216

        Changing the Type of Network Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .217

        Configuring Network Sharing and Discovery . . . . . . . . . . . .218

        Managing Network Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .219

        Changing IP Addresses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .221

    Managing Wireless Networks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .224

    The Bottom Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .225

13 Sharing Files, Folders, and Devices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227

    Configuring File Sharing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .227

        How File Sharing Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .227

        Taking Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .228

        Enabling File and Printer Sharing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .228

    Sharing Files and Folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .230

        Sharing the Public Folder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .230

        Sharing Other Folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .230

        Sharing Complete Drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .231

    Sharing Files from Other Computers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .233

        Accessing Other Computers on Your Network . . . . . . . . . .233

        Creating a Shortcut to a Shared Folder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .235

    Installing a Network Printer on Other PCs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .236

    The Bottom Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .238

IV OPTIMIZING WINDOWS ONLINE–YOUR WAY

14 Configuring and Customizing Internet Explorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239

    Personalizing Internet Explorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .239

        Customizing the Command Bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .239

        Displaying Other Toolbars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .241

        Adding Links to the Favorites Bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .242

        Adding a Menu Bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .243

        Moving the Toolbars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .243

        Displaying the Browser Full Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .244

        Playing with Tabs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .244

        Creating a Home Page Tab Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .245

        Bookmarking Favorite Pages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .246

        Displaying Explorer Bars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .247

        Making Text and Pages Bigger–And Smaller . . . . . . . . . . .248

        Changing the Search Provider . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .249

    Configuring Internet Explorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .251

        General Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .251

        Security Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .252

        Privacy Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .252

        Content Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .252

        Connections Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .254

        Programs Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .254

        Advanced Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .254

    Working with Browser Add-Ons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .260

    Working with Suggested Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .261

    Working with Accelerators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .261

        Using an Accelerator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .262

        Managing Accelerators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .262

    Working with Web Slices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .263

    Working with Compatibility View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .264

    Changing Web Browsers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .265

        Evaluating the Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .265

        Making the Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .266

    The Bottom Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .267

15 Speeding Up the Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269

    Things That Slow Down Web Browsing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .269

        Understanding Connection Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .269

        Understanding Browser Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .271

    Managing Your Cache . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .272

        Clearing Your Cache . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .272

        Clearing Your Cache Automatically . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .273

        Changing the Size of Your Cache . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .274

    Dealing with Cookies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .275

        Deleting Cookies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .275

        Avoiding Cookies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .276

    Reconfiguring Other Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .276

        Don’t Display Graphics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .276

        Disable ClearType . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .277

        Turn Off the SmartScreen Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .277

        Disable RSS Feeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .278

    Uninstalling Unnecessary Add-Ons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .279

        Removing Third-Party Toolbars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .279

        Removing the SSVHelper Class Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .280

        Removing Other Add-Ons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .280

    Browsing Faster with an Alternate DNS Service . . . . . . . . . . . . .281

        What Is a DNS Server–And How Does It Affect Connection Speed? . . .281

        Choosing a Third-Party DNS Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .282

        Configuring Your System for an Alternate DNS Service . . . . . . .. .282

    Increasing the Size of Your DNS Cache . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .284

    Enabling More Simultaneous Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .286

    The Bottom Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .287

16 Surfing Securely–And Secretly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289

    Protecting Against Offending Pages with the Content Advisor . . . . .289

    Managing Cookies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .291

        Understanding Cookies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .292

        Adjusting the Privacy Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .292

        Deleting All Cookies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .294

    Managing Security Zones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .295

    Protecting Against Phishing Scams with the SmartScreen Filter . . 297

        How Phishing Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .297

        Using the SmartScreen Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .298

    Blocking Unwanted Pop-Ups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .299

        Understanding the Pop-Up Blocker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .299

        Enabling Pop-Up Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .299

    Surfing Secretly with InPrivate Browsing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .301

    Practicing Safe Computing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .302

        Don’t Open Email Attachments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .302

        Don’t Open Files Sent via Instant Messaging . . . . . . . . . . . .303

        Don’t Click IM or Chat Links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .303

        Don’t Execute Files Found in Blogs, Newsgroups, or Message Boards . . . .304

        Don’t Download Files from Suspect Websites . . . . . . . . . . .304

        Limit Your Sharing of Removable Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .304

        Display and Check File Extensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .305

        Avoiding Malware-Infested Websites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .307

    The Bottom Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .308

V USING WINDOWS ON THE ROAD–YOUR WAY

17 Getting the Most Out of Windows on a Notebook PC. . . . . . . 309

    Managing Notebook Settings with the Mobility Center . . .309

        Adjusting Brightness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .311

        Adjusting Volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .311

        Managing Battery Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .311

        Managing Wireless Networks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .311

        Connecting an External Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .312

        Managing Sync Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .312

        Activating Presentation Settings Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .312

    Using an External Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .313

    Presenting from Your Notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .314

        Choosing a Video Projector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .314

        Making the Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .314

        Switching to External Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .315

        Setting the Resolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .315

    Exploring Gadgets for Notebook Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .316

    Using Your Notebook to Control Your Office PC from the Road . . . 317

        Configuring Your Desktop PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .318

        Connecting from Your Notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .319

    Touchpad Tricks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .320

        Configuring Double-Click Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .320

        Configuring Cursor Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .321

        Configuring Touchpad Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .322

    The Bottom Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .324

18 Extending Battery Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325

    Understanding Battery Capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .325

    Running on Battery Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .326

    Configuring Windows 7’s Power Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .327

        Choosing a Power Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .328

        Customizing a Power Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .329

        Changing Advanced Plan Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .331

    Tips for Extending Battery Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .332

    Recalibrating Lithium Ion Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .334

    The Bottom Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .334

VI OPTIMIZING WINDOWS PERFORMANCE–YOUR WAY

19 Backing Up and Restoring Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335

    Backing Up Your Files with Windows Backup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .335

        Choosing a Backup Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .336

        Configuring an Automatic Backup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .336

        Choosing What to Back Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .338

        Choosing When to Back Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .339

        Backing Up Your Entire Hard Disk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .340

        Restoring Backed Up Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .341

    Restoring System Files with System Restore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .342

    Creating a System Repair Disk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .343

    The Bottom Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .345

20 Managing System Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347

    Understanding Computer Threats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .347

        Understanding Computer Viruses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .347

        Understanding Spyware and Adware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .349

        Understanding Computer Attacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .351

        Understanding Phishing Scams and Identity Theft . . . . .351

    Using the Windows 7 Action Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .353

    Defending Against Attacks with the Windows Firewall . . . .355

        Allow a Program or Feature Through Windows Firewall . . . . . . . . . . . . .356

        Change Notification Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .357

        Turn Windows Firewall On or Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .357

        Restore Defaults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .358

        Advanced Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .358

    Defending Against Spyware with Windows Defender . . . . .360

        Scanning for Spyware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .360

        Configuring Windows Defender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .361

        Understanding Scan Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .362

        Dealing with Spyware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .363

        Additional Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .363

    Defending Against Malware with Microsoft Security Essentials . . . . 363

        Downloading and Installing MSE–For Free . . . . . . . . . . . . .364

        How MSE Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .364

        Using MSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .365

        Setting Up Automatic Scanning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .366

        Determining Default Actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .368

        Excluding Locations, File Types, and Processes . . . . . . . . . .370

        Configuring Advanced Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .371

        Participating in Microsoft SpyNet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .373

        Updating MSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .374

        Understanding Scan Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .375

        Performing a Manual Scan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .376

        Scanning from Windows Explorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .376

        Alerting You to the Threat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .377

        Choosing the Right Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .378

        Viewing Your Scanning History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .380

        Restoring and Removing Quarantined Items . . . . . . . . . . . .381

        Removing Previously Allowed Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .381

    Protecting Your Wireless Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .382

        How to Protect Your Wireless Network from Unwanted Intrusion . . 382

        Understanding Wireless Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .383

        Enabling Wireless Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .384

        Protecting Your Network’s SSID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .385

        Disabling SSID Broadcasting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .386

    Using Third-Party Security Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .386

        Using Third-Party Firewall Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .386

        Using Anti-Virus Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .387

        Using Anti-Spyware Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .388

    The Bottom Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .389

21 Managing Printers, Devices, and Drivers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 391

    Installing and Managing Printers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .391

        Connecting a Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .391

        Installing a New Printer from Within Windows . . . . . . . . . .392

        Enabling Printer (and File) Sharing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .393

        Installing a Network Printer on Other PCs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .394

    Managing Printers and Other Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .394

        Getting to Know the Devices and Printers Window . . . .394

        Configuring Printer Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .396

        Setting Your Default Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .396

        Configuring Other Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .397

    Working with Device Drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .397

        Installing Device Drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .398

        Updating Device Drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .398

    The Bottom Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .400

22 Running Problem Programs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 401

    Running Programs as an Administrator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .401

        Running as an Administrator–Once . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .402

        Always Running as an Administrator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .402

    Running Programs in Compatibility Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .403

        Configuring Compatibility Mode Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . .404

        Configuring Other Program Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .405

    Running Older Programs in XP Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .406

        Checking Compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .407

        Enabling Hardware Virtualization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .407

        Downloading and Installing Windows XP Mode . . . . . . . .408

        Running Windows XP Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .408

        Installing an Application in XP Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .410

        Running an XP Application in Seamless Mode . . . . . . . . . .410

    The Bottom Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .411

23 Removing Unnecessary Files and Programs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 413

    Hard Disk Capacity–Enough Is Never Enough . . . . . . . . . . . . .413

        Why a Crowded Hard Disk Slows Down Your System . . . . . .414

        How Much Free Space Do You Need? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .415

    What’s on Your Hard Disk–And Why? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .415

        Understanding Computer Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .415

        Understanding Bundleware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .416

    Freeing Up Hard Disk Space by Deleting Bundleware . . . . .417

    Deleting Unwanted Files with the Disk Cleanup Utility . . . . .18

    Emptying the Recycle Bin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .420

    Archiving Little-Used Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .421

    Uninstalling Unwanted Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .421

    The Bottom Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .422

24 Removing Auto-Loading Programs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 423

    Too Many Running Programs Slows Things Down . . . . . . . . . .423

    Discovering Programs That Load Automatically–Without Your Awareness . . .424

        What Kinds of Programs Load Automatically? . . . . . . . . . . .425

        Which Startup Programs Can Be Deleted? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .426

    Deleting Auto-Loading Programs from the Startup Folder . . . . . . . . . .427

    Deleting Auto-Loading Programs from the Windows Registry . . . . .428

    Deleting Auto-Loading Programs with the

    System Configuration Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .429

    Deleting Auto-Loading Programs with Autoruns . . . . . . . . . . .430

    Turning Windows Features Off (or Back On) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .431

        Features You Might Not Need . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .432

        Disabling Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .433

    The Bottom Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .434

25 Managing Disks and Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 435

    Defragmenting Your Hard Disk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .435

        Understanding Disk Fragmentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .436

        How Disk Defragmenting Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .436

        Setting a Defrag Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .437

        Analyzing Your Disk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .438

        Manually Defragmenting Your Hard Disk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .439

    Scanning Your Hard Disk for Errors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .439

        How ScanDisk Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .440

        Using ScanDisk to Speed Up Your PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .440

    Adding More Hard Disk Space . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .441

        Viewing the Capacity of Your Hard Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .441

        Shopping for a New Hard Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .443

        Connecting a New External Hard Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .444

        Taking Full Advantage of an External Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . .445

    Boosting System Memory with ReadyBoost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .445

        How ReadyBoost Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .446

        Speeding Up Your PC with ReadyBoost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .446

    Adding More System Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .448

        Adding Memory to a Desktop PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .449

        Adding More Memory to a Notebook PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .451

        Shopping for Computer Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .452

    The Bottom Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .452

26 Using Third-Party Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 453

    Using PC Tune-Up Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .453

    Using Defragmenter Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .454

    Using File Cleanup Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .454

    Using Startup Optimization Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .455

    Using Browser Optimization Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .455

    The Bottom Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .455

27 Tweaking the Windows Registry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 457

    Understanding the Windows Registry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .457

        How the Registry Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .458

        Organizing the Registry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .458

    Editing the Registry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .459

        Launching the Registry Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .459

        Editing and Adding Keys, Subkeys, and Values . . . . . . . . . .460

    Editing the Registry to Speed Up Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .461

        Speeding Up Windows’Menus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .461

        Disabling Low Disk Checking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .462

        Moving the Windows Kernel into Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .462

    Cleaning Up the Registry for Faster Performance . . . . . . . . . . .463

        How the Registry Affects Your PC’s Performance . . . . . . .463

        How Registry Cleaners Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .463

        Choosing a Registry Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .464

        Using a Registry Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .465

    The Bottom Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .466

28 Troubleshooting Windows Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 467

    How to Troubleshoot Computer Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .467

    Starting Windows in Safe Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .468

        Hijacking Your Computer at Startup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .468

        Launching Safe Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .469

    Starting Windows from the System Repair Disk . . . . . . . . . . . . .470

    Diagnosing Startup Problems with the System Configuration Utility . . . .471

    Using the Task Manager to Deal with Program Freezes . . .473

    Fixing Driver Problems with the Device Manager . . . . . . . . . .474

        Displaying Device Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .474

        Solving Conflicts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .475

        Updating Drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .476

    Fixing Big Problems with System Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .476

    The Bottom Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .476

TOC, 9780789742865, 11/11/09

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InformIT Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

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Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites, develop new products and services, conduct educational research and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@informit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by InformIT. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.informit.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020


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